A Look Back: Transforming Granja Bona Festa into Camping Les Medes (1968–1985)
If you’ve ever wondered how a much-loved modern campsite comes to life, the answer often lies in its earliest chapters. Transforming Granja Bona Festa into Camping Les Medes was a decisive journey—one that began in 1968 and accelerated between 1984 and 1985—setting the standard with practical upgrades that still shape guest comfort today. In this retrospective, you’ll discover what changed, why those choices mattered, and how the foundations laid then continue to benefit campers now.
From Fieldside Origins to Local Favorite (1968–early 1980s)
In the summer of 1968, a campsite named Granja Bona Festa opened at Camp de l’Arbre in L’Estartit. Managed with care by its owner Joan Dalmàs, it was surrounded by farmland with the Montgrí massif as a striking backdrop. At the time, L’Estartit already hosted several campsites, and peak months were famously busy.
After the owner’s passing, Granja Bona Festa was leased to various tenants. Over the years, maintenance lagged and the site fell behind evolving guest expectations. Yet the location and spirit of the place held promise—waiting for a new vision to bring it up to date.
A Turning Point: The Pla-Coll Family Steps In (1984)
In 1984, the Pla-Coll family purchased the former campsite and renamed it Camping Les Medes. With energy and purpose, they launched a first wave of works to reopen the following summer. Their approach balanced two priorities: elevate the guest experience immediately and build a resilient infrastructure that could grow.
What changed between 1984 and summer 1985?
- Restaurant added in the main building
- Bar completely renovated
- Reception enlarged for smoother arrivals
- One bathroom block built
- New supermarket constructed
- Three bungalows installed
- 100 additional plots created, each equipped with water, electricity and drainage
By summer 1985, Camping Les Medes was ready to welcome guests with a clearly upgraded mix of services and serviced plots.
Why these upgrades mattered (then and now)
Well-run campsites combine smart infrastructure with simple daily conveniences. The 1984–85 transformation did exactly that:
- Bigger, better reception: A larger reception reduces queues, streamlines pitch selection, and improves check-in clarity—key for stress-free arrivals.
- Modern sanitary block: Clean, functional facilities underpin camper satisfaction. Investing early in a robust block set a quality baseline that would later be expanded.
- On-site supermarket: Stocking essentials on property cuts down on errands and keeps guests focused on leisure time.
- Restaurant and renovated bar: Social hubs define campsite character. Food, drink, and relaxed gathering spaces elevate the overall stay.
- Three initial bungalows: Introducing fixed accommodation broadened the audience to those seeking comfort without towing a caravan or pitching a tent.
- 100 serviced plots: Providing water, electricity and drainage at each plot anticipated the practical needs of modern camping—making setup easier and long stays more comfortable.
These seemingly straightforward choices reflect widely accepted best practices in campsite design: prioritize guest flow, guarantee dependable sanitation, and make everyday living convenient. In short, the essentials came first—and they were done well.
Laying the Groundwork for Today’s Camping Les Medes
The early overhaul didn’t just refresh a site; it established a platform for steady improvements that define the experience today. Highlights guests appreciate now include:
- Pitches with level ground and good rain drainage, plus summer shade from mulberry, pine and poplar trees. Each pitch offers 6 or 10 A electricity, water inlet and drainage (drainage is absent only on 10 even-numbered plots in Street K). Explore details: Pitches.
- Three bungalow types to suit different party sizes:
- Bungalow Park – 4 persons — 30.7 m² indoors + 18 m² terrace
- Bungalow Shop – 4 persons — 27 m² indoors + 5.75 m² terrace
- Bungalow 2 persons — 20.4 m² indoors + 16 m² terrace
- Heated sanitary buildings, ensuring comfort even in winter.
- Indoor heated pool (approx. 28 °C) open 15 September–15 June, with changing-room lockers and an adjacent solarium—and it’s free for campsite guests.
- Two outdoor pools (adult and children’s) operating roughly 1 May–15 September, weather permitting. The large pool is equipped with a crane to assist guests with reduced mobility, and the children’s pool features playful water fountains.
- Year-round snack bar-pizzeria with a comfortable indoor area and a small library corner, plus a spacious terrace.
- A shop open year-round for daily newspapers, fresh bread and essentials.
- A landscaped green rest area with benches, open 08:00–23:00 for quiet relaxation.
- Practical services such as a motorhome service area with waste disposal and an adjacent car-wash point.
- Since 2017, the Aquàtica diving centre has operated on-site, offering diving, snorkelling and courses within the Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park.
Each of these conveniences echoes the same philosophy that guided 1984–85: get the fundamentals right, make daily life easy, and design for a broad mix of campers.
Timeline at a Glance
- 1968 — Granja Bona Festa opens at Camp de l’Arbre in L’Estartit.
- 1984 — The Pla-Coll family buys the site and renames it Camping Les Medes; major works begin.
- 1985 (summer) — Reopening after the first transformation: restaurant, renovated bar, enlarged reception, new bathroom block and supermarket, three bungalows, and 100 serviced plots.
- 1987 — First outdoor swimming pool constructed.
- 1989 — A second bathroom block is added.
- 2003 — A new sports zone is created (quick tennis court, beach-volleyball court, multi-sports court for basketball and five-a-side football).
- 2017 — Aquàtica diving centre opens on-site, expanding marine activities around the Medes Islands.
Quick answers for history lovers
- When did the site first open? In the summer of 1968 as Granja Bona Festa at Camp de l’Arbre.
- Who led the transformation? The Pla-Coll family purchased the site in 1984 and renamed it Camping Les Medes.
- What changed in 1984–85? A new restaurant, a fully renovated bar, an enlarged reception, a bathroom block, a new supermarket, three bungalows and 100 additional serviced plots; the campsite reopened in summer 1985.
Practical takeaways if you’re visiting today
- Choosing your pitch: On arrival, reception provides a plan of vacant plots so you can walk around and select your preferred pitch.
- Connections to bring:
- Electricity: CEE three-phase plug
- Water: Gardena 1/2" or 3/4" hose connector (or similar)
- Pools:
- Indoor heated pool: 15 Sep–15 Jun, approx. 28 °C, free for guests; swimming hats are compulsory by regional regulation; lockers and solarium available.
- Outdoor pools: roughly 1 May–15 Sep, weather permitting; children’s pool includes water fountains.
- Accessibility: The large outdoor pool has a crane for guests with reduced mobility.
- Barbecues: Portable barbecues only, and only on non-windy days.
- Pets: Allowed on camping plots until 5 July and after 22 August; not allowed in bungalows.
- Wi‑Fi: Available for an extra charge (one device at a time); free in high season for bungalows.
- Bicycles: 20 bicycles available on a first-come, first-served basis, including two electric models.
- Sanitary comfort: Both modern sanitary buildings are heated for winter comfort.
- Motorhomes: Dedicated service area with waste disposal and an adjacent car‑wash point.
- Quiet green rest area: Landscaped seating area open 08:00–23:00.
- Orientation: A detailed campsite map is available online in the Map section.
For accommodation specifics, explore:
- Pitches — 70–80 m², up to 6 people, 6 or 10 A electricity, water inlet and drainage (except 10 even-numbered plots on Street K)
- Bungalow Park – 4 persons
- Bungalow Shop – 4 persons
- Bungalow 2 persons
Conclusion: Foundations that still serve campers well
Transforming Granja Bona Festa into Camping Les Medes was more than a change of name. Between 1968 and 1985, and especially during the 1984–85 works, careful choices around reception flow, sanitation, food, and serviced pitches built a blueprint that remains visible today. Those fundamentals continue to support year‑round comfort, practical convenience, and easy access to nature and activities around the Medes Islands.
Ready to experience the legacy—and the comfort—it created? Book your stay (open all year), explore our Pitches and bungalows, or contact us at +34 972 75 18 05 or info@campinglesmedes.com. We look forward to welcoming you to Camping Les Medes.